Marshall Point (Forrest Gump) Lighthouse is a Maine MUST

As someone new to Maine (A FLATLANDER), I am guilty of wanting to do all of the tourist things. What surprises me the most when sharing my "tourist" adventures throughout Maine, is how so many Mainers haven't experience, been to, nor visited several of these awesome places.

Whether a local or a visitor to the beautiful state of Maine, put Marshall Point Lighthouse on your to do list!

Our Experience Was Awesome at Marshall Point Lighthouse, Maine with a Dash of Luck

The weather was quite fickle on Saturday, July 13th, 2024. Our drive to the lighthouse in Port Clyde, Maine started out quite cloudy with storms in the area, but when we arrived, the skies were as kind and beautiful as the staff working the museum and gift shop at Marshall Point. The weather cleared providing us an hour of sunshine to explore.

The museum and gift shop are open 7-days a week until 4pm and there are port-a-potties and picnic tables on site. Be sure to grab a cute souvenir to support the historic structure and sign the guestbook!

While we were there, fog rolled in almost at the blink of an eye silencing the environment around us. It was eerie. It was magical.

There is SO Much Fascinating History at This Beautiful Maine Lighthouse

The first lighthouse built on Marshall Point was in 1832 but was replaced in 1858 by the tower that stands today. Being born in the lighthouse may offer longevity in life as the longest housekeeper to serve at Marshall point, Charles Clement Skinner, a Civil War veteran, had two daughters born in 1891 and 1895. Both lived until the 1990's. They lived until 102 and 99! Read more on the history of this beautiful Maine lighthouse here. 

Ok, Here's the Forrest Gump Connection to Marshall Point Lighthouse in Maine

You've seen the movie, and YES this is the lighthouse in Forrest Gump while Forrest is traversing from Santa Monica Pier in California to 'the other ocean' where he reaches, you guessed it, Marshall Point Light house in Maine.

There is some confusion online on whether or not Tom Hanks was ever actually in Maine during filming of the Oscar Award winning film, and the museum at Marshall Point Lighthouse solves the mystery. Tom Hanks was very clearly on-site during filming as he took photos with Mainers. See more photos from our experience below and then take the trip and let me know what you think! Also, please share your recommendations on other Maine stops we should make to david.bugenske@townsquaremedia.com.